Ghurka Brigade (under construction June 2012)

The Ghurka Brigade's former barracks near Burton-on-Trent sit frozen in time, though access has been patchy over the years. This was serious military real estate - the home of Gurkha soldiers who served the British Army with legendary distinction, their kukri knives and mountain warfare expertise becoming the stuff of regimental legend. The site itself tells the story of imperial military life: drill squares, officers' quarters, and the everyday infrastructure of a garrison that trained some of the world's toughest soldiers. History buffs will find plenty to chew over here, particularly anyone interested in postcolonial British military heritage or the relationship between Nepal and Britain's armed forces. It's not the sort of place that will keep kids entertained for hours, though teenage military history enthusiasts might get something from it. Fair warning: the site was under construction when last properly documented, so do ring ahead before making the trip from Burton. The nearest proper holiday base is Kingfisher Holiday Park, just under three miles away, which makes this a decent morning excursion if you're staying in the area. You're looking at an hour or so on site if the gates are open, longer if you're genuinely keen on military architecture. It won't compete with stately homes for visitor facilities - this feels like a working (or recently-working) military installation rather than a polished tourist attraction. That's rather the point, though.